Ashley William Joseph

Ashley William Joseph (born 3 October 1965) is the founder and director of the William Joseph International Academy for Performing Arts, chairman of the William Joseph Music Foundation, director and conductor of the Bangalore Musical Association, and founder, director, and conductor of the Indian National Symphony Orchestra.

Early life
Ashley William Joseph was born on 3 October 1965 in Bangalore, Karnataka, to Joseph Thomas Williams and Sarah William Joseph. His father was the Chief Pipe Organist at St. Andrew's Church in Bangalore and Head of the Music Department at Baldwin Boys High School, Bangalore; he died of a heart attack while playing the pipe organ at St. Andrew's Church during a service.

Joseph attended Baldwin Boys High School in Bangalore, where his father was Head of the Music Department.

Education and training
He received a scholarship in 1985 to pursue his music studies in Manila, Philippines, where he specialized in conducting, voice, piano, guitar, organ, and ethnomusicology. He extensively researched the history, origin and performance of the sitar. He has performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and the Asian Chorale and was honored with a Doctorate in Music by Trinity Open University.

Awards
In 2008 he was honored by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, B. S. Yeddyurappa for outstanding contributions to the state in the field of music and music education. His composition won first prize on All India Radio.

The YMCA of Singapore and the International Y's Men's Club of Singapore in a joint project in aid of Thailand flood victims, honored Dr. Ashley Williams for his performance as guest conductor with the Thailand Sanctuary Symphony Orchestra.

He received the Messenger of Peace Award from the International Cultural Development and Exchange group and the ICYE Germany. The decision to confer this award was taken at a conference in Geneva to honor the Global Peace and Harmony Concerts. He received an honorable citation for his contribution and performance in Singapore with the Thailand Sanctuary Symphony Orchestra to raise funds for Thai flood victims. He was also honored for his performance in Ipoh, Malaysia, at a charity concert to raise funds for street children.

Notable students
Actress Deepika Padukone was trained by Joseph. He told Deepika Padukone's father, Prakash Padukone, that "all she wants to do is sing, act and dance". Miss Earth 2010 Nicole Faria was also a student of Dr. Williams.

Works
Over the years Joseph has directed and produced many Broadway musicals, including My Fair Lady, Man of La Mancha, Oliver Twist, Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Jungle Book, Annie, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Snow White.

He was invited to conduct the Hope of Bangkok Philharmonic Orchestra and the TSSO for charity concerts across Asia.

He wrote and composed the Karnataka Traffic Warden's March.

He re-arranged traditional Kannada folk songs into a modern form for young listeners. He composed and directed the theme song for the women of the international Inner Wheel Club.

Joseph has also been mentored at the Notre Dame Teachers Training College.